Chief of Staff and Strategic Planning

November 5, 2024
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Job Description

About Workato

Workato is the only integration and automation platform that is as simple as it is powerful — and because it’s built to power the largest enterprises, it is quite powerful. 

Simultaneously, it’s a low-code/no-code platform. This empowers any user (dev/non-dev) to painlessly automate workflows across any apps and databases.

We’re proud to be named a leader by both Forrester and Gartner and trusted by 7,000+ of the world’s top brands such as Box, Grab, Slack, and more. But what is most exciting is that this is only the beginning. 

Why join us?

Ultimately, Workato believes in fostering a flexible, trust-oriented culture that empowers everyone to take full ownership of their roles. We are driven by innovation and looking for team players who want to actively build our company. 

But, we also believe in balancing productivity with self-care. That’s why we offer all of our employees a vibrant and dynamic work environment along with a multitude of benefits they can enjoy inside and outside of their work lives. 

If this sounds right up your alley, please submit an application. We look forward to getting to know you!

Also, feel free to check out why:

  • Business Insider named us an “enterprise startup to bet your career on”

  • Forbes’ Cloud 100 recognized us as one of the top 100 private cloud companies in the world

  • Deloitte Tech Fast 500 ranked us as the 17th fastest growing tech company in the Bay Area, and 96th in North America

  • Quartz ranked us the #1 best company for remote workers

Job Summary: As Workato’s Chief of Staff, you will directly report to our CEO and play a critical role in driving strategic initiatives, facilitating executive operations, and fostering cross-functional collaboration. We are seeking a sharp, strategic thinker with exceptional operational horsepower, proven ability to connect with and influence stakeholders and a seasoned understanding of organizational dynamics and customer and market landscape. As a trusted advisor to the CEO and executive team, you will support and facilitate alignment, operational accountability of company-wide initiatives, and effective communication across the organization. The ideal candidate will be based in the Bay Area and work out of the Palo Alto office, minimum three days a week. 

The impact you will make:

  1. Strategic Initiative Execution:
    • Develop a strong understanding of established initiatives that impact customer adoption and value realization
    • Effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders within and outside the company with determination and focus on successful execution
    • Develop and implement operating mechanisms to ensure alignment and accountability.
  2. Vision, Methods, and Targets (VMTs): (Workato’s version of OKRs and framework for articulating company vision, key goals/metrics and methods of achieving them)
    • Form a deep comprehension of Workato’s company-level Targets and partnership with all responsible parties 
    • Articulate and manage Target timelines, milestones, and critical paths defined by department and executive leaders 
    • Identify and mitigate risks, resolve dependencies, and unblock progress
    • Track the progress of strategic metrics for company-level Targets
    • Surface key market or customer insights to support execution of company-level Targets 
    • Distill and synthesize strategic discussions into actionable plans
  3. Executive Leadership and Support:
    • Act as a trusted counsel to executive leaders, providing insights on customer outcomes and operations to support with key decisions
    • Monitor and support content development for executive presentations
    • Manage executive leadership meetings in partnership with the EA team, including agenda formulation, discussion guidance, and follow-up on action items
    • Support company-wide internal communications in partnership with existing teams
  4. Operational Cadence:
    • Closely partner with the executive leaders on the company’s annual strategic planning and operating calendar
    • Facilitate weekly executive operations syncs and executive team meetings
    • Oversee bi-weekly company All Hands meetings and quarterly leadership forums
    • Own the preparation for and execution of quarterly board meetings and communications

You’d be amazing in this role because you have:

  • 7+ years of proven experience as a VP of Strategic Planning and Operations, a Chief of Staff, or a similar role in a high-growth technology company
  • Successful track record in taking a long-view, strategic framework development of organization wide initiatives including org design & culture, OKR / VMT, revenue and customer growth, process & policy controls 
  • Experience in developing and implementing practical and methodical operating mechanisms to ensure alignment and accountability
  • Ability to distill complex discussions into actionable plans and drive execution
  • Strong program management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to quickly build trust,  influence and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels
  • A deep and strategic understanding of customer and market landscape & organizational dynamics
  • Exceptional attention to detail, bringing gravitas to executive leadership team towards an aligned execution mode